Seasonal Variations and Anatomical Distribution of Alginic Acid in Sargassum Spp. Found Along the Coasts of Puerto Rico

Abstract

Four species of Sargassum were analyzed for their content of alginic acid at the different seasons of the year. S. polyceratlum and S. vulgare, two sessile species, had maximum amounts of alginic acid at the vegetative stage and peak reproductive phase in May. Minimum amounts were detected in the postreproductive phase. The whole plants had an average of 20.3% and 17.9% alginic acid for S. polyceratium and S. vulgare, respectively. In both species, the stipes had more alginic acid than the fronds. Whole plants of the pelagic species yielded an average of 18.8% and 19.9% alginic acid, for S. fluitans and S. natans, respectively. Stipes of S. fluitans had more alginic acid than the fronds, whereas in S. natans, the situation was reversed.